Stop signal



June 1933. BLACKWELDER 1,915,179

STOP SIGNAL Filed Oct. 31, 1932 ATTORNEY Patented June 20, 1933 srreo STATES LEE BLACKWELDER, O1 ROCKWELL, NORTH CAROLINA sror SIGNAL I Application filed October 31, 1932. Serial No. 640,545.

This invention relates to signals and has for the primary object, the provision of a device of the above stated character located in the path of travel of traffic and is especially adapted to effectively display a signal or warning so that it will be impossible for drivers of vehicles to fail to see or observe the signal and which will immediately assume a position flush with the surface of the street or roadway when engaged by a vehicle to prevent destruction thereof crcause' a jolt or vibration to the vehicle passing thereover.

With these and other objects in view this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter fully described and claimed. 7

For. a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a sectional view illustrating a signal located in a roadway and constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan View illustrating the signal.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 38 of Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates a case or box embedded in a roadway 2 so that the upper edges of the box or case lie flush with the surface of the roadway. The box or case has the vertical walls thereof separate from the base and detachably secured thereto by bolts 3. The base projects beyond the vertical walls with a por tion of the roadway overlying the same so that the device is firmly anchored in place.

A signal plate 4 closes the upper end of the box or case and is hinged to one of the vertical walls, as shown at 5, and is of substantially triangular shape in cross section as clearly shown in Figure 3. Coil springs 6 are interposed between the base and the signal plate 5 4 for supporting the latter at an inclination relative to the surface of the roadway so that characters applied to the upper surface of the plate 4 may be easily observed or read by drivers of vehicles approaching the device. When the plate 4 is engaged by the wheels of vehicles it may move inwardly of the box or case sothat its upper face is flush with the surface of the roadway, thereby preventing destruction to the plate orin any way interfere with the passing of vehicle traffic over the device. The hinge 5 is so arranged or secured to the box or case and the plate'4 that the latter may be readily detached from the box or case whenever desired or when it is necessary to make repairs to the interior of the-device.

Inclined shoulders 7' are arranged inthe box or case for the purpose of limiting the inward movement of the plate 4 and are provided with notches 8 to receiveU-shaped brackets 9 secured to the plate 4 and which have hinged thereto arms 10'provided with offset portions 11 having slots 12 to receive pins 13 carried by the stops 7. The free ends of the arms are bent to form resilient stops 14 adapted to engage the base of the box or case for limiting the outward movement of the plate 4 under the influence of the spring and provide a cushion efi'ect to the plate 4 when moving into signaling position.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing it willbe noted that a device has been provided which may be readily'embedded in a roadway or street and preferably at street intersections for the purpose of displaying to traflic approaching the intersection a desired signal or warning. Further it is to be noted that the device will in no way obstruct the movement of the traflic and may be easily observed by approaching traffic and due to the signal plate 4 movable into a position flush with the surface of the roadway when engaged will obviate the necessary of drivers of vehicles avoiding passing or running over the device, consequently permitting the flow of traffic to continue in a straight course.

WVhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that minor changes in construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, as

claimed.

Having described the invention, I claim:

1. A signal comprising a case embedded in a roadway, a signal plate movably mounted to the case and normally occupying a position outwardly of the case to display the signal to approaching traflic and movable into the case under the weight of traflic when in engagement therewith. tension means urging the plate into signaling position, and arms hinged to the plate and pivotally and slidably connected to the case for limiting the outward movement of the plate.

2. A signal comprising a case embedded in a roadway, a signal plate movably mounted to the case and normally occupying a position outwardly of the case to display the signal to approaching trailic and movable into the case under-the weight of traflic when in engagement therewith, tension means urgin the plate into signaling position, arms hinge to the plate, means pivotally and slidably connecting the arms to the case, said arms having their free ends curved to form resilient stops adapted to engagethe bottom of the case for yieldably limiting the outward movement of the plate relative to the case.

3. A signal comprising a case embedded in a roadway, a signal plate movably mounted to the case and normally occupying a position outwardly of the case to display the signal to approaching traflic and movable into the case under the weight of trafiic when in engagement therewith, tension means urging the plate into signaling position, arms hinged to the plate, means pivotally and slidably connecting the arms to the case, said arms having their free ends curved to form resilient stops adapted to engage the bottom of the case for yieldably limiting the outward movement of the plate relative to the case, and inclined shoulders located in the case for limiting the inward movement of the plate relative tothe case and permitting said plate when engaged by traflic to assume a position with the upper face thereof flush with the surface of the roadway.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. LEE BLACKWELDER. 

